Washington, DC and Lexington, NC – Lolly Wolly Doodle, the social commerce apparel company headquartered in Lexington, North Carolina, will announce today a significant new investment led by Revolution Growth to rapidly scale growth. Befitting one of the world’s most successful businesses transacting on Facebook, the announcement will be made live on Lolly Wolly Doodle’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/LollyWollyDoodle) at 10am ET today.
Founded in 2008 by first-time entrepreneur and mother-of-four, Brandi Temple, Lolly Wolly Doodle has been a pioneer in using social media to propel its business. The company refines its product designs based on real-time feedback from customers, and marries this with an innovative just-in-time manufacturing process; the result: affordable made-to-order clothing, much as Dell pioneered a just-in-time model for the PC industry.
Lolly Wolly Doodle has become a social commerce success story, with a Facebook community of more than 580,000 loyal fans and engaged customers. The company has solved many of the pain points suffered by traditional clothing retailers and manufacturers, making it possible to produce personalized clothes in the United States on a mass-affordable basis.
Revolution Growth’s investment will enable the company to scale its operation, recruit additional executive talent, broaden its product offering, more deeply engage its customers, and expand its market presence both online and offline. The company plans to hire an additional 100 people in North Carolina in operations and manufacturing, and will also significantly add to its technology and marketing team in New York City.
“Lolly Wolly Doodle is a perfect example of our core belief at Revolution that great entrepreneurs and innovative companies can be found all across the country, not just in Silicon Valley,” said Revolution Growth co-founder Steve Case. “Lolly Wolly Doodle proves affordable manufacturing can thrive in America – and Brandi is a true ‘Made in America’ entrepreneurial success story.”
“I am proud to partner with the entrepreneurs at Revolution Growth to take our company to the next level,” said Lolly Wolly Doodle founder and CEO Brandi Temple. “Our mission is to empower consumers to choose what they want, when they want it – and to build an iconic American brand and create good American jobs in the process. We will benefit greatly from the expertise, investment, and hands-on business-building approach of the Revolution Growth team.”
“Lolly Wolly Doodle is as close as it gets to every girl in America having her very own seamstress to design her clothes and accessories,” said Revolution Growth co-founder Donn Davis, who led the investment and will join the board of the company. “What is equally exciting is the ability to completely re-imagine the clothing industry – from design to manufacturing to distribution – through a company and brand built on social media.”
Revolution Growth was joined in the financing round by existing investors FirstMark Capital and High Line Venture Partners, as well as new investor Novel TMT Ventures.
About Revolution Growth
Founded and led by Steve Case, Ted Leonsis, and Donn Davis, Revolution Growth invests in companies that can change the world. Its mission is to build disruptive, innovative businesses that offer consumers more choice, convenience, and control in their lives. By taking a long-term approach and developing a true, hands-on partnership with entrepreneurs and management teams, Revolution Growth brings a unique strategy and passion to investing in and building significant companies. For more information, visit www.revolution.com/growth.
About Lolly Wolly Doodle
Lolly Wolly Doodle is a social shopping innovator and leader in personalized children’s apparel and accessories. Founded in 2008 and based in Lexington, North Carolina, all LWD clothes are designed, manufactured, or customized in the U.S., creating new American manufacturing jobs. LWD is one of the first online retailers to fully leverage social platforms, from product design and brand building to order taking and community sharing. For more information, visit www.lollywollydoodle.com.
